Method of managing files in WebDAV server-embedded image forming apparatus, and image forming system that performs the method

ABSTRACT

A method of managing files in a Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV)-embedded image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus that performs the method. The method includes receiving a connection request from the WebDAV client to manage at least one of a file and a directory stored in a storage unit of the image forming apparatus; receiving login information from the WebDAV client, authenticating the received login information of the WebDAV client, receiving a WebDAV command to control the at least one of the file and the directory from the authenticated WebDAV client, and executing a process with respect to the at least one of the file and the directory with reference to the received WebDAV command.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/456,067,filed on Aug. 11, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/946,076, filed on Nov. 15, 2010, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) from Korean Patent Application No.10-2009-0114162, filed on Nov. 24, 2009, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein intheir entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present general inventive concept relates to a method of managingfiles in a Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV)server-embedded image forming apparatus, and an image forming systemthat performs the method.

2. Description of the Related Art

WebDAV, which is an abbreviation for Web-based Distributed Authoring andVersioning, refers to a set of extensions to the hypertext transferprotocol (HTTP) that allows computer-users to remotely edit and managefiles collaboratively on a web server on the web. In particular, WebDAVis an Internet Engineering Task Force (IEFT) standard for supportingjoint authoring on the web, and relevant content thereof is recorded anddistributed by Request For Comments (RFC) 4918. WebDAV enables users atremote sites to jointly edit and manage a file by using the Internet.Image forming apparatuses, including printers, scanners, ormulti-function peripherals, have at least one function among ones suchas printing, copying, scanning, fax transmission and reception, emailtransmission, and file transmission to a server.

SUMMARY

The present general inventive concept provides a method of remotelymanaging a file stored in a WebDAV server-embedded image formingapparatus conveniently by using the Internet, and an image formingsystem that performs the method.

Additional features and utilities of the present general inventiveconcept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and,in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned bypractice of the present general inventive concept.

According to another feature of the present general inventive concept,there is provided a Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning(WebDAV) server-embedded image forming apparatus connectable to a WebDAVclient, the image forming apparatus including: a storage unit to storeat least one file, a communication interface unit to receive aconnection request from the WebDAV client that manages at least one of adirectory or the file stored in the storage unit, and receiving logininformation from the WebDAV client, an authentication unit toauthenticate the received login information of the WebDAV client, aWebDAV server to execute the WebDAV command that is received from theauthenticated WebDAV client and controls the file, with respect to atleast one of the file and the directory, and a control unit forcontrolling in such a way that a process corresponding to the WebDAVcommand requested by the WebDAV client is executed.

According to another feature of the present general inventive concept,there is provided a Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning(WebDAV) client-embedded host device connectable to a WebDAVserver-embedded image forming apparatus, the host device including: aWebDAV client to request a connection to the WebDAV server of the imageforming apparatus, a communication interface unit to transmit logininformation to the image forming apparatus connected according to therequest, receiving a result of authentication from the image formingapparatus, and receiving a list of document boxes corresponding to thelogin information and a list of WebDAV commands supported by the WebDAVserver, according to the result of authentication, a user interface unitto receive a selection signal to select at least one file stored in onedocument box stored in one document box selected from the received listof document boxes and to select one WebDAV command from the receivedlist of WebDAV commands, and a control unit to request the image formingapparatus to execute a process of managing the selected file accordingto the selected WebDAV command, wherein the communication interface unittransmits information about the selected file, and the selected WebDAVcommand to the image forming apparatus.

Yet, another feature of the present general inventive concept provides afile management system to manage data files communicated over a networkincluding an HTTP application layer, including a WebDAV server tocontrol storage of data files in response a WebDAV server command, animage forming apparatus in communication with the WebDAV server toprocess data files in response to a WebDAV processing command, and ahost device in communication with the image forming apparatus via thenetwork and including a WebDAV client to generate at least one of aWebDAV server signal including an HTTP data file extension indicating aWebDAV server command and a WebDAV processing signal including an HTTPdata file extension indicating a WebDAV processing command.

In still another feature of the present general inventive concept, afile management system to manage data files communicated over a networkincluding an HTTP application layer includes a storage unit to store atleast one file, a communication interface unit to receive a connectionrequest from the WebDAV client that manages at least one of a directoryand the file stored in the storage unit, and receiving login informationfrom the WebDAV client, an authentication unit to authenticate thereceived login information of the WebDAV client, a WebDAV server toexecute the WebDAV command that is received from the authenticatedWebDAV client and controls the file, with respect to at least one of thefile and the directory, a control unit to execute a processcorresponding to the WebDAV command requested by the WebDAV client, aWebDAV client to request a connection to the WebDAV server of the imageforming apparatus, a communication interface unit to transmit logininformation to the image forming apparatus connected according to therequest, to receive a result of authentication from the image formingapparatus, and to receive a list of document boxes corresponding to thelogin information and a list of WebDAV commands supported by the WebDAVserver, according to the result of authentication, a user interface unitto receive a selection signal to select at least one file stored in onedocument box stored in one document box selected from the received listof document boxes and to select one WebDAV command from the receivedlist of WebDAV commands, and a control unit to request the image formingapparatus to execute a process of managing the selected file accordingto the selected WebDAV command, wherein the communication interface unittransmits information about the selected file, and the selected WebDAVcommand to the image forming apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present generalinventive concept will become more apparent by describing in detailexemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an image forming system, accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow of data when a process corresponding to aPRINT WebDAV command is performed, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow of data when a process corresponding to aPREVIEW WebDAV command is performed, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow of data when a process corresponding to a PUTcommand is performed, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent general inventive concept;

FIG. 5 illustrates an user interface (UI) of the image forming apparatusof FIG. 1 to set an option to restrict an upload of an external file,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventiveconcept;

FIG. 6 illustrates a WebDAV client user interface (UI) displayed on auser interface unit of a host device of FIG. 1, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept;

FIG. 7 illustrates a WebDAV client user interface (UI) displayed on theuser interface unit of the host device, according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present general inventive concept; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of managing files in the image formingapparatus of FIG. 1 by using a WebDAV protocol, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentgeneral inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the likeelements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order toexplain the present general inventive concept by referring to thefigures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an image forming system accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.Referring to FIG. 1, the image forming system includes an image formingapparatus 100 and a host device 200. The host device may be operated bya user to select a data file and/or a WebDAV command, which executes theimage forming apparatus to process the selected data file, as discussedin greater detail below. Although the image forming system according toan exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is simply illustrated asincluding only one host device 200 connected to the image formingapparatus 100, the present general inventive concept is not limitedthereto. For example, a plurality of host devices, each as the hostdevice 200, may be connected to the image forming apparatus 100. Inaddition, a plurality of image forming apparatuses, each as the imageforming apparatus 100, may be connected to the host device 200.

The image forming apparatus 100 and the host device 200 may transmitand/or receive data via communication interface units 110 and 230,respectively, therein, for example, via a common network including, butlimited to, a wired or wireless network and/or a wire serialcommunication. In this regard, examples of networks include theInternet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wireless LAN, and a Wide AreaNetwork (WAN), but are not limited thereto. It would be obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art that any network capable of transmittingand receiving information may be used.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 andthe host device 200 may further include other commonly used elements, aswill be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring to FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes thecommunication interface unit 110, an authentication unit 120, a WebDAVserver 130, a document box creating unit 140, a file creating unit 145,a storage unit 150 that includes a document box 151, user accountinformation 155, a cache memory 160, a WebDAV client 170, a control unit180, a user interface unit 185, an image forming unit 191, a fax unit192, and a transmission data processing unit 193. The host device 200includes a user interface unit 210 that may be operable by a user, aWebDAV client 220, the communication interface unit 230, a control unit240 and a memory 250.

The image forming apparatus 100 may store files in the storage unit 150and/or the WebDAV server 130, and may process the files according tovarious functions including, but not limited to, printing, scanning,copying, fax transmission and/or reception, email transmission, andtransmission to a server. In this regard, the files may be stored in thestorage unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 100. In at least oneexemplary embodiment, the files may be created by using at least onepiece of data including, but not limited to, scan data, fax data, emaildata and printing data to be printed, scanned, copied, faxed, emailed,and/or transmitted to a server.

The WebDAV server 130 may be embedded in the image forming apparatus100, or may be located externally and/or remotely from the image formingapparatus 100. In addition, a plurality of externally located WebDAVservers may be in communication with the image forming apparatus 100.

The scan data may be created as a result of scanning performed in theimage forming apparatus 100, the fax data may be created as a result offax transmission and/or reception performed in the image formingapparatus 100, and the e-mail data may be created as a result ofemailing performed in the image forming apparatus 100. The printing datamay be received from the host device 200 connected to the image formingapparatus 100.

The control unit 180 is in communication with the various units of theimage processing device 100 mentioned above, including the WebDAV server130 and the storage unit 150. Accordingly, the control unit 180 maycontrol the WebDAV server to control data files stored in the WebDAVserver and/or the storage unit 150 of the image forming apparatus 100 inresponse to a WebDAV server command. Additionally, the control unit 180may also control the image forming apparatus 100 to process data filesstored in the WebDAV server and/or the storage unit 150 of the imageforming apparatus 100 in response to a WebDAV processing command. TheWebDAV server and processing commands is described in greater detailbelow.

In addition, although FIG. 1 illustrates a single control unit 180 incommunication with the various units of the image processing apparatus100 and the WebDAV server 130, it can be appreciated that a separatecontrol unit may be included with each of the various units of the imageforming apparatus to execute a respective operation. Accordingly, aseparate control unit may be included the WebDAV server 130 to controldata files stored therein in response to a WebDAV command selected by auser of the host device 200.

The communication interface unit 110 transmits and/or receives data toand from an external device (not shown) through the network. Thecommunication interface unit 110 according to the current embodiment mayinclude a modem to send and/or receive fax data, a network module toconnect to a network, and a universal serial bus (USB) host module toform a data transfer channel with a portable storage medium, accordingto the functions of the image forming apparatus 100.

The image forming apparatus 100 is in communication with the host device200 via a network including an HTTP application layer. Accordingly, theimage forming apparatus 100 may receive a remote connection request,login information and a WebDAV command request initiated by a user ofthe host device 200 via the communication interface unit 110 for thepurpose of accessing the image forming apparatus 100 and/or the WebDAVserver. In response, the control unit 180 of the image forming apparatus100 may transmit to the host device 200 a result of executing the WebDAVcommand that the host device 200 requested to execute via thecommunication interface unit 110.

In this regard, in general, the login information may be received from auser of the host device 200 who inputs an ID and a password when thehost device 200 is connected to the image forming apparatus 100.However, the present general inventive concept is not limited thereto,and the login information may be automatically provided to the imageforming apparatus 100 from the host device 200 when the image formingapparatus 100 and the host device 200 are connected. In other words, theimage forming apparatus 100 may receive the login information from thehost device 200 according to settings, without the user performing aseparate login process.

The authentication unit 120 authenticates the login information receivedvia the communication interface unit 110. In particular, when the imageforming apparatus 100 and the host device 200 are connected, theauthentication unit 120 checks whether the login information receivedfrom the host device 200 via the communication interface unit 110matches with information stored in the user account information 150. Ifthe login information received via the communication interface unit 110matches the information stored in the user account information unit 155,the authentication unit 120 authenticates the host device 200 as anauthorized user.

If the host device 200 is authenticated as a result of theauthentication by the authentication unit 120, a user of the host devicemay access a list of WebDAV commands stored in the WebDAV server 130that control storage of data files and/or that process data files usingthe image forming apparatus 100. The list of WebDAV commands may includeWebDAV server commands that command the control unit 180 to control datafiles stored in the WebDAV server 130, and WebDAV processing commandsthat command the control unit 180 to control the image forming apparatus100 to process data files. The processing performed by the image formingapparatus includes, but is not limited to, printing, scanning, faxing,emailing, and/or data transmission.

The host device 200 may output one of the WebDAV commands to request theWebDAV server 130 and/or image forming apparatus 100 to execute theselected a WebDAV command included in the command list. For example, thecontrol unit 180 may control the WebDAV server 130 to execute a processcorresponding to the WebDAV command selected by a user of the hostdevice 200, thereby controlling the files stored in the storage unit150, with respect to at least one of a file and a directory stored inthe WebDAV server 130. In this regard, the WebDAV command may be an HTTPprotocol-based command or a WebDAV protocol-based command, and may alsobe extendable according to a command supported by the WebDAV server 130.In at least one exemplary embodiment, the WebDAV command may be at leastone of PROPFIND, PROPPATCH, MKCOL, COPY, MOVE, LOCK, UNLOCK, FAX, SCAN,PRINT, PREVIEW and EMAIL.

Examples of the WebDAV command that output by the host device 200 mayselect to request the WebDAV server 130 to execute may include HTTPprotocol-based Methods such as HEAD, GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, TRACE,OPTIONS, and CONNECT Methods; WebDAV protocol-based Methods such asPROPFIND, PROPPATCH, MKCOL, COPY, MOVE, LOCK, and UNLOCK Methods.Additionally, other extended Methods may be performed in the imageforming system according to at least one exemplary embodiment, such as aPRINT request Method, a PREVIEW request Method, a FAX request Method, aSCAN request Method, and/or an EMAIL request Method.

For example, the control unit 180 may control the WebDAV server 130 toexecute a HTTP protocol-based command selected by a user of the hostdevice 200 to perform a process corresponding to the HTTP protocol-basedcommand with respect to a file stored in the image forming apparatus 100and/or the WebDAV server 130, and in response, the control unit 180transmits to the host device 200 a response to the request.Additionally, the WebDAV server 130 may execute a WebDAV protocol-basedcommand that output by the host device 200 requested to execute, whichcorresponds to a WebDAV protocol-based command selected by the user withrespect to a file stored in the image forming apparatus 100 and/orWebDAV server 130. In response to receiving the WebDAV command requestselected by the user, the control unit 180 in communication with theWebDAV server 130 may transmit a response to the request to the hostdevice 200.

For example, a user of the host device 200 may request to execute a PUTcommand, which is a HTTP protocol-based command, with respect to anexternally created file created by a host device located remotely fromthe image forming apparatus 100. In this case, the control unit 180 incommunication with the WebDAV server 130 may determine whether toexecute the PUT command with respect to the externally created file.

The image forming apparatus 100 may create and distribute files on itsown. However, the security of the image forming apparatus 100 may bebreached by a virus when externally created files created outside theimage forming apparatus 100 are randomly uploaded, for example, from aremotely located host device 200 to the image forming apparatus 100.

To prevent this, a user of the image forming apparatus 100 may selectwhether the WebDAV server 130 should execute the PUT command output bythe host device 200. More specifically, the control unit 180 incommunication with the WebDAV server 130 may determine whether toexecute the PUT command that the host device 200 has output to execute,and may provide a response to the PUT command according to a result ofthe determination. Accordingly, the communication interface unit 110transmits the response from the control unit 180 in communication withthe WebDAV server 130 to the host device 200.

For example, if the control unit 180 in communication with the WebDAVserver 130 determines to execute the PUT command that the host device200 has output to execute, an external file that is created by aremotely located host device 200 outside the image forming apparatus 100is received from the host device 200, and is stored in the storage unit150 of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, the control unit 180 incommunication with the WebDAV server 130 may provide a responseindicating that the PUT command was executed.

On the other hand, if the control unit 180 in communication with theWebDAV server 130 determines not to execute the PUT command that theuser of the host device 200 has selected, the control unit 180 incommunication with the WebDAV server 130 provides a response, forexample, “HTTP/1.1 403 Forbidden”, indicating that the PUT command hasan error.

Thus, the control unit 180 in communication with the WebDAV server 130may prevent random uploading of files to the image forming apparatus100, thereby ensuring security of the image forming apparatus 100.

As another example, if a user of the host device 200 selects a PROPFINDWebDAV command, which is a WebDAV protocol-based command, that providesinformation about properties of the file selected by the host device200, a signal indicating the WebDAV command selected by the user may beforwarded from the host device 200 to the WebDAV server 130. Theproperty information may then be transmitted to the host device 200 viathe communication interface unit 110. In this regard, the propertyinformation includes information about, for example, an owner and a userwho creates the file selected via the host device 200, a modelname/serial number of the image forming apparatus 100 used to create thefile, and a creation Method of the selected file (for example, whetherit was created from fax data, scan data, etc.).

Thus, the host device 200 may be utilized to remotely check theproperties of the files stored in the image forming apparatus 100conveniently by using a PROPFIND WebDAV command.

In addition, the host device 200 may be utilized to change theproperties of a file or a directory stored in the image formingapparatus 100 by selecting PROPPATCH WebDAV command, which is then sentfrom the host device to the WebDAV server. Various other commands may beoutput by the host device 200 to remotely control data files stored inthe image forming apparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server 130. For example, auser of the host device 200 may create a new file in the image formingapparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server by selecting an MKCOL WebDAV command.The host device 200 may be used to copy a file and at least one of theproperties to one or more document boxes stored in the image formingapparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server by selecting a COPY WebDAV command.the host device 200 may be used to move a file and at least one of theproperties to one or more document boxes 151 stored in the image formingapparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server by selecting a MOVE WebDAV command.Additionally, The host device 200 may set a file lock of a data filestored in the image forming a apparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server 130 byselecting a LOCK WebDAV command, and may set a file unlock of a datafile stored in the image forming a apparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server130 by selecting an UNLOCK WebDAV command.

Methods of executing HTTP protocol- and WebDAV protocol-based WebDAVcommands in the WebDAV server 130 are well-known, and thus, a detaildescription thereof will not be provided here. As described above, theimage forming system according to the at least one exemplary embodimentmay use the document box 151 included with the image forming apparatus100, in addition to a directory of a file system using the HTTP protocoland the WebDAV protocol. In this regard, the document box 151 will bedescribed in more detail.

The control unit 180 may control the image forming apparatus 100 toexecute other extended WebDAV commands, in addition to a HTTP protocol-and WebDAV protocol-based WebDAV command, in the image forming systemaccording to at least one exemplary embodiment. For example, the controlunit 180 may control the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a PRINTWebDAV command, a PREVIEW WebDAV command, a FAX WebDAV command, a SCANWebDAV command, and an EMAIL WebDAV command that the host device 200requests to execute.

For example, a user of the host device 200 may select one of the filesstored in the image forming apparatus 100, and selects a PRINT WebDAVcommand in order to print the selected file using the image formingapparatus 100. Then, the control unit executes the PRINT WebDAV commandwith respect to printing data corresponding to the file selected by thehost device 200. In response, the image forming unit 191 performs aprocess of printing the printing data according to a result of executingthe PRINT WebDAV command by the control unit 180. Thereafter, thecontrol unit 180 may transmit the result of executing the PRINT WebDAVcommand to the host device 200 via communication interface unit 110.

The host device 200 may be used to select one of the files stored in theimage forming apparatus 100, and then select a PREVIEW WebDAV command.The control module 180 in communication with the WebDAV server 130executes a PREVIEW WebDAV command with respect to printing datacorresponding to the file selected by a use of the host device 200. Thecontrol unit 180 transmits to the host device 200 image datacorresponding to the printing data obtained as a result of executing thePREVIEW WebDAV command via the communication interface unit 110.

The host device 200 may also be used to manage files and directoriesstored in the image forming apparatus 100 by using a WebDAV protocol,which is an extended HTTP protocol, without being required to install anadditional application, that depends on the image forming apparatus 100,to manage files in the image forming apparatus 100. Accordingly, a userof the host device 200 may manage and print files stored in the imageforming apparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server 130 using a web-based client.In addition, the host device 200 may be used to remotely print andpreview the files stored in the image forming apparatus 100 and/orWebDAV server 120 conveniently by using an extended WebDAV protocol.

In another exemplary feature, the control unit 180 in communication withthe WebDAV server 130 may execute a FAX WebDAV command. In other words,the control unit 180 may execute a FAX WebDAV command, which the hostdevice 100 output, with respect to fax data selected by the user of thehost device 200.

For example, a user of the host device 200 may select one of the filesstored in the image forming apparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server, andselect a FAX WebDAV command. In response, the control module 180 incommunication with the WebDAV server 130 executes the FAX WebDAV commandwith respect to fax data corresponding to the file selected by the userof host device 200, and may control the fax unit 192 to perform faxtransmission with respect to the fax data. Then, the control module 180may transmits the fax data to a facsimile, and transmit the result ofthe performed facsimile to the host device 200 via the communicationinterface unit 110.

Thus, the host device 200 may remotely perform a fax transmission withrespect to the files stored in the image forming apparatus 100 and/orthe WebDAV server 130 conveniently by using an extended WebDAV protocol.

In the image forming system according to at least one exemplaryembodiment, the control module 180 in communication with the WebDAVserver 130 may execute a SCAN WebDAV command, and control the imageforming apparatus 100 to perform a scanning process in response the hostdevice 200 outputting the SCAN WebDAV command.

Additionally, the transmission data processing unit 193 may perform anemail transmission with respect to a file selected by using the hostdevice 200 in response to the user's selection of the EMAIL WebDAVcommand.

Thus, the host device 200 may remotely perform an email transmission,and/or a scanning process with respect to the files stored in the imageforming apparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server 130 conveniently by using anextended WebDAV protocol.

The WebDAV server 130 may provide a list of WebDAV commands in responseto a request from the host device 200. In particular, the control module180 in communication with the WebDAV server 130 may forward a list ofWebDAV commands requested by the user of the host device 200 in responseto authenticating the host device 200 via the authentication unit 200.

Thus, the host device 200 may check the list of WebDAV commands that maybe executed by the image forming apparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server 130,in addition to the files and directories stored in the image formingapparatus 100 and/or the WebDAV server 130. Accordingly, a user of thehost device 200 may conveniently select a process to be performed in theimage forming apparatus 100 and/or the WebDAV server 130.

The image forming apparatus 100 according to at least one exemplaryembodiment may include the document box 151. In this case, the controlmodule 180 in communication with the WebDAV server 130 may execute aWebDAV command that the host device 200 requested to execute, to controla data file associated with the document box 151.

If the host device 200 is authenticated as a result of theauthentication performed by the authentication unit 120, the documentbox creating unit 140 may create the document box 151, and the documentbox 151 is stored in the storage unit 150 and/or WebDAV server 130. Thedocument box 151 may function as a directory of the WebDAV server 130and/or storage unit 150. However, if a document box corresponding toauthentication information corresponding to the host device 200 ispresent in the storage unit 150, the document box creating unit 140 maynot create the document box 151.

The file creating unit 145 may create a file to be stored in thedocument box 151, by using at least one of printing data, scan data, faxdata, and e-mail data. In particular, the file creating unit 145 maygenerate an image file to be stored in the document box 151 of the imageforming apparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server 130 by converting printingdata, scan data, fax data and/or email data that are generated duringthe processes of printing, copying, scanning, fax transmission andreception, email transmission, and transmitting a file to a server,respectively, into an image file.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, the control module 180 incommunication with the WebDAV server 130 may execute other extendedWebDAV commands, in addition to a HTTP protocol-based command and aWebDAV protocol-based command described above, with respect to a filestored in the document box 151.

For example, the control module 180 in communication with the WebDAVserver 130 may execute a LOCK WebDAV command while the file creatingunit 145 creates an image file. In this regard, the WebDAV server 130may automatically execute the LOCK WebDAV command if the file creatingunit 145 starts to create the image file, even when the host device 200does not request to execute the LOCK WebDAV command.

In addition, the control module 180 in communication with the WebDAVserver 130 may execute an UNLOCK WebDAV command if the file creatingunit 145 completes the creation of the image file. In this regard, thecontrol module 180 in communication with the WebDAV server 130 mayautomatically execute the UNLOCK WebDAV command if the file creatingunit 145 completes the creation of the file, even when the host device200 does not request to execute the UNLOCK WebDAV command.

In other words, the host device 200 may be blocked from accessing a filebeing created by the file creating unit 145. Thus, the control module180 in communication with the WebDAV server 130 may prevent distributionof the file being created by the file creating unit 130 before thecreation is completed.

In addition, if the creation of the file is completed, the file creatingunit 145 may store creation information about the file in the storageunit 150 as property information of the file. As described above, thehost device 200 may check the stored property information by requestingto execute a PROPFIND WebDAV command.

The storage unit 150 may store at least one document box 151, and thedocument box 151 may store at least one file.

The document box 151 of the image forming apparatus 100 may store filest according to properties. In particular, the control unit 180 storesthe files to be stored in the image forming apparatus 100 in thedocument boxes 151, which are also classified according to properties,according to their properties. In this regard, the properties of thedocument box 151 may include, but are not limited to, a file creationuser, a file creation date, a file creation location, a file type, and afile's secure information setting. Examples of the document box 151 mayinclude, but are not limited to, a common box used in common by aplurality of users, a secure box with a secure setting used in common bya plurality of users, and user boxes corresponding to individual users.

Examples of the storage unit 150 may include, but are not limited to, aread only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, ahard disk drive (HDD), which is a kind of magnetic computer memory, andan optical disk drive.

The user account information unit 155 may include login informationabout a plurality users of the image forming apparatus 100. The user'slogin information may refer to information identifying individual users,and may include, for example, login IDs/passwords of users, and anID/password of the host device 200 connected to the image formingapparatus 100.

The document box creating unit 140 may create document boxes 151corresponding to respective users of the image forming apparatus 100with reference to the user account information unit 155, which may storeuser account information about each of the users. As mentioned above,the storage unit 150 may store the created document boxes 151.

Thus, a user of the host device 200 may utilize the document boxes 151corresponding with directories of the WebDAV server 130 and/or storageunit 150 to request the control module 180 in communication with theWebDAV server 130 to execute a WebDAV command. For example, the WebDAVcommand that the user of the host device 200 requested to execute may beexecuted selectively with respect to the document box 151 correspondingto a property of the files and/or authentication information of theuser. Thus, it may be more convenient for the user of the host device200 to manage the files stored in the image forming apparatus 100 and/orWebDAV server 130.

The cache memory 160 may store uniform resource locators (URLs) of thefiles stored in the image forming apparatus 100. In other words, thecache memory 160 may store the URLs of the files stored in the storageunit 150. If the image forming apparatus 100 is not operated for apredetermined duration of time, the image forming apparatus 100 switchesto a power-saving mode in which power supplied to the storage unit 150is cut off, in order to reduce power consumption. In this regard, thepredetermined duration of time may vary according to usage environments,for example, the predetermined duration of time may be 1 hour. If thehost device 200 requests to execute a WebDAV command when the imageforming apparatus 100 is in the power-saving mode, a processcorresponding to the WebDAV command that the user requested to executemay not be executed since the power supplied to the storage device 150is cut off.

Thus, if the user of the host device 200 requests to execute the WebDAVcommand when the image forming apparatus 100 is in the power-savingmode, the control module 180 in communication with the WebDAV server 130retrieves a URL stored in the cache memory 160 and sends the retrievedURL to the host device 200 via the communication interface unit 110.Thus, in the power-saving mode in which supply of power to the storageunit 150 is cut off, the control module 180 of the image formingapparatus 100 may execute a GET command, which is a HTTP command thatthe host device 200 requested to execute, by using the cache memory 160.In other words, even when the image forming apparatus 100 is in thepower-saving mode, the user of the host device 200 may search for thefiles stored in the storage unit 150.

In addition, as the user of the host device 200 accesses the storageunit 150, the control module 180 in communication with the WebDAV server130 releases the image forming apparatus 100 from the power-saving mode.In other words, the control module 180 in communication with the WebDAVserver 130 controls power to be supplied to the storage unit 150 of theimage forming apparatus 100. When the executed WebDAV command requestedby the host device 200, such as COPY, MOVE, DELETE, PRINT, or PREVIEW,is needed to access the storage unit 150, the control module 180 incommunication with the WebDAV server 130 controls power to be suppliedto the storage unit 150.

Thus, even when the image forming apparatus 100 is in the power-savingmode, the host device 200 may remotely manage the files stored in theimage forming apparatus 100.

As described above, the user of the host device 200 may remotely managethe files stored in the image forming apparatus 100 in terms of theoperations of printing, previewing, fax transmission, scanning, and/oremail transmission, conveniently, by using the WebDAV server 130included in the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus100 may include the WebDAV client 170, in addition to the WebDAV server130. In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 may include atleast one of the WebDAV server 130 and the WebDAV client 170, accordingto usage environments.

Alternatively, a user of the image forming apparatus may utilized theWebDAV client 170 included with the image forming apparatus 100 tocommunicate a file stored in the document box 151 corresponding to theinformation authenticated by the authentication unit 120 to an externalWebDAV server in communication with the image forming apparatus 100 viathe communication interface unit 110. Then, the communication interfaceunit 110 transmits the file to the external WebDAV server of the imageforming apparatus 100. For example, when transmitting the file stored inthe storage unit 150 to an external device, such as an external WebDAVserver, of the image forming apparatus 100, the file may be convenientlytransmitted by using a WebDAV protocol, i.e., not using a File TransferProtocol (FTP)/Server Message Block (SMB) protocol.

Thus, the user of the host device 200 may select a file stored in thedocument box 151 and transmit the selected file to the external WebDAVserver of the image forming device 100 by using the WebDAV protocol. Inaddition, the user may scan a document by using the image formingapparatus 100 and transmit the scan data to the external WebDAV serverof the image forming apparatus 100 by using “Scan to WebDAV” functionimplemented by the document box 151.

As such, the file stored in the image forming apparatus 100 may beremotely transmitted to the external WebDAV server of the image formingapparatus 100, and stored therein conveniently by using the WebDAVclient 170 included in the image forming apparatus 100.

As discussed in detail above, the control unit 180 may control theoverall function of the image forming apparatus 100. That is, thecontrol unit 180 may control the elements of the image forming apparatus100 in order to perform a process corresponding to the WebDAV commandthat the host device 200 has requested to execute.

The user interface unit 185 may receive input information from the userand may provide output information to the user. For example, the userinterface unit 185 may include input and output devices such as akeyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, a display including, but not limited to,a graphics user interface (GUI), a local user interface (LUI), a liquidcrystal display (LCD) panel, and a display panel; and software modulesto implement such devices.

The image forming unit 191, the fax unit 192, and the transmission dataprocessing unit 193 may perform various functions of the image formingapparatus 100 according to at least one exemplary embodiment. The imageforming unit 191 may perform the process of printing the files, the faxunit 192 may perform the process of transmitting the files by fax, andthe transmission data processing unit 193 may perform a process oftransmitting the files to an external device, such as a server, aportable storage medium, or a computer system.

In other words, the image forming unit 191 performs the process ofprinting according to the PRINT WebDAV command selected by a user of thehost device 200, the fax unit 192 performs the process of faxtransmission according to the FAX WebDAV command that the user of thehost device 200 requested to execute, and the transmission dataprocessing unit 193 performs the process of emailing according to theEMAIL WebDAV command that the user of the host device 200 requested toexecute.

Thus, the user of the host device 200 may remotely manage the filesstored in the image forming apparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server 130 byusing the WebDAV commands stored in the WebDAV server 130 incommunication with the image forming apparatus 100, and may remotelytransmit the files stored in the image forming apparatus 100 and/orWebDAV server 130 by using the WebDAV client 170 included in the imageforming apparatus 100.

The user of the host device 200 may manage the files and directoriesstored in the image forming apparatus 100, which includes the WebDAVserver 130, by using the WebDAV protocol. The user of the host device200 according to at least one exemplary embodiment may include at leastone of a general computer system connected to the image formingapparatus 100 to control the same, and another image forming apparatusseparate from the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the hostdevice 200 may include a general computer system, a mobile system, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), or an image forming apparatus whichare connectable to the image forming apparatus 100 to remotely managethe files stored in the image forming apparatus 100.

The user interface unit 210 of the host device 200 may receive inputinformation from a user and provides output information to the user. Forexample, the user interface unit 210 may receive a selection signal toselect at least one of the files stored in one document box 151 selectedfrom the list of document boxes received from the image formingapparatus 100, and may receive a selection signal to select one WebDAVcommand from among the list of WebDAV commands received from the imageforming apparatus 100. In this regard, the selected WebDAV command mayinclude a PRINT WebDAV command, a PREVIEW WebDAV command, a SCAN WebDAVcommand, a FAX WebDAV command, and/or an EMAIL WebDAV command.

That is, the user of the host device 200 selects one document box 151from the list of document boxes, and selects at least one file storedtherein using the user interface unit 210. In addition, the user mayselect one WebDAV command, for example, a PRINT WebDAV command, from thelist of WebDAV commands displayed on the user interface unit 210 of thehost device 200.

The WebDAV client 220 may request a connection to the image formingapparatus 100 in communication with the WebDAV server 130, manage thefiles stored in the image forming apparatus 100 by using the WebDAVprotocol, and request the image forming apparatus 100 to execute aprocess of printing, previewing, scanning, email transmission, or thelike with respect to the files stored in the image forming apparatus 100and/or WebDAV server 130.

The communication interface unit 230 transmits login information to theimage forming apparatus 100 in communication with the host device 200,and receives authentication information, and a list of WebDAV commandsand a list of document boxes corresponding to the authenticationinformation from the image forming apparatus 100. In addition, thecommunication interface unit 230 may transmit the information about thefile selected by the user and the WebDAV command to the image formingapparatus 100. In this regard, the information about the file mayinclude a storage location of the file.

The control unit 240 controls the host device 200 to request the controlmodule 180 of the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a process, forexample, printing, corresponding to the WebDAV command, with respect tothe files stored in the image forming apparatus 100 and/or WebDAVserver, by using the WebDAV protocol.

The memory 250 may store a program that may control the host device 200.The memory 250 may include, but is not limited to, a program memory (notshown) and a data memory (not shown). The program memory may also storea program to control the overall operation of the host device 200. Thedata memory temporarily stores data generated during the execution ofthe program.

The host device 200 may be a separate image forming apparatus 100. Inthis regard, files stored in this image forming apparatus 100 may betransmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 including the WebDAVserver 130 by using the WebDAV protocol. If the image forming apparatus100 in communication with the host device 200 includes a document box, a“Scan to WebDAV” may be utilized to scan a file stored in the documentbox. Accordingly, scan data may be transmitted to the image formingapparatus 100 including the WebDAV server 130 by using the WebDAVprotocol.

Thus, the host device 200 may remotely manage files stored in the imageforming apparatus 100 including the WebDAV server 130 conveniently byusing the WebDAV client 220, and may perform a process of requestingprinting, previewing, scanning, email transmission, and/or faxtransmission with respect to the files stored in the image formingapparatus 100 and/or WebDAV server 130.

As described above, the image forming system may be utilized to printfiles via the WebDAV protocol. The image forming system includes thehost device 200, which may allow a user thereof to request a connectionto the image forming apparatus 100 and the WebDAV server 130, and allowsa file to be printed via a PRINT WebDAV command request to execute theprocess of printing. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 100 mayexecute the PRINT WebDAV command with respect to printing datacorresponding to the file received from the user of the host device 200and prints the printing data according to a result of executing thePRINT WebDAV command. Thus, the user may of the host device 200 mayutilize the image forming system to remotely perform the process ofprinting conveniently.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow of data when a process corresponding to aPRINT WebDAV command is performed, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present general inventive concept. Referring to FIG. 2, a hostdevice 201 may request to execute a PRINT WebDAV command, and an imageforming apparatus 202 transmits a response to the PRINT WebDAV command.The request by the host device 201 to execute the PRINT WebDAV command,denoted by 203 in FIG. 2, indicates that a PRINT WebDAV command isrequested with respect to a file ‘file 1’ stored in a ‘print’ directory,and the host is ‘example.com’. The response of the image formingapparatus 202, denoted by 204, indicates that the process correspondingto the PRINT WebDAV command has been performed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow of data when a process corresponding to aPREVIEW WebDAV command is performed, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present general inventive concept. Referring to FIG.3, a host device 301 may request to execute a PREVIEW WebDAV command, animage forming apparatus 302 transmits a response to the PREVIEW WebDAVcommand. The request from the host device 301 to execute the PREVIEWWebDAV command, denoted by 303, indicates that a PREVIEW WebDAV commandis requested with respect to the file ‘file 1’ stored in the ‘print’directory, and the host is ‘example.com’. The response of the imageforming apparatus 302, denoted by 304, indicates that the processcorresponding to the RERVIEW WebDAV command has been performed. Thus,the image forming apparatus 302 provides image data as a result ofexecuting the PREVIEW WebDAV command to the host device 301.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow of data when a process corresponding to a PUTcommand is performed, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent general inventive concept. Referring to FIG. 4, a host device401 may request to execute a PUT command, an image forming apparatus 402transmits a response to the PUT command. The request from the hostdevice 401 to execute the PUT command, denoted by 403, indicates thatthe PUT command is requested with respect to a file ‘file 1’ stored in a‘web’ directory, and the host is ‘example.com’. The response of theimage forming apparatus 402, denoted by 404, indicates that the processcorresponding to the PUT command has not been performed. As describedabove, the image forming apparatus 402 may restrict executing the PUTcommand with respect to an external file, and thus provide the hostdevice 401 with a response indicating that the process corresponding tothe PUT command that the host device 401 requested to execute cannot beperformed with respect to the external file. The response may then bedisplayed on a user interface unit (UI) 210 to notify a user of the hostdevice of the restriction of the PUT command execution.

FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface (UI) 51 of the image formingapparatus 100 to set an option to restrict an upload of an externalfile, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present generalinventive concept. The UI 51 to set the option may be displayed on theuser interface unit 185, for example, a display panel, of the imageforming apparatus 100. The user may set the option, for example, bytouching the display panel as an example of the user interface unit 185.Thus, the user may set the option to restrict the upload of an externalfile created outside the image forming apparatus 100, for example, bytouching a box to “Restrict file creation by remote client”, or mayunset the option.

FIG. 6 illustrates a WebDAV client user interface (UI) 61 displayed onthe user interface unit 210 of the host device 200, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. Referringto FIG. 6, the WebDAV client UI 61 displays an area 611 including anaddress of the image forming apparatus 100 connected to the host device200, and a pane including a list of document boxes 151 stored in theimage forming apparatus 100. In this regard, if the document boxes 151are not used, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the artthat the list of document boxes 151 may be configured as, for example, adirectory of a file system according to the use environment of the imageforming apparatus 100. If the user selects one document box from thelist of document boxes 151 by using the user interface unit 210,information about the files stored in the selected document box 151, forexample, name, type, and/or size of each of the files, may be displayed.

FIG. 7 illustrates a WebDAV client user interface (UI) 71 displayed onthe user interface 210 of the host device 200, according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. If theuser selects one file 711 of the files stored in the document box 151displayed on the WebDAV client UI 71 and selects a file tab 712, a list713 of WebDAV commands requestable by the user of the host device 200 isdisplayed. The user may request a WebDAV command to be executed by theimage forming apparatus 100 by selecting the WebDAV command from thelist 713 of WebDAV commands via the user interface unit 210.

For example, the user may request the image forming apparatus 100 toexecute a process of printing a selected file 711 “DOC001.pdf” byselecting a PRINT WebDAV command 714. The user of the host device 200may request the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a process ofpreviewing the selected file 711 “DOC001.pdf” by selecting a PREVIEWWebDAV command 715.

However, if the PRINT WebDAV command 714 or the PREVIEW WebDAV command715 is not used according to the setting of the image forming apparatus100, the PRINT WebDAV command 714 or the PREVIEW WebDAV command 715 maynot be displayed or activated.

Thus, the user may control the image forming apparatus 100 to performprocesses by conveniently selecting the processes performable by theimage forming apparatus 100 with reference to the list 713 of WebDAVcommands.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method of managing files in the image formingapparatus of FIG. 1 by using a WebDAV protocol, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept. Referringto FIG. 8, an exemplary method of the image forming system illustratedin FIG. 1 above will also apply to the method of FIG. 8 that will bedescribed hereinafter.

In operation 801, the communication interface unit 110 receives aconnection request from the host device 200. I For example, a userutilizing the WebDAV client 220 of the host device 200 may request aconnection to the image forming apparatus 100, which is in communicationwith the WebDAV server 130. In this regard, the connection request maybe performed via the communication interface unit 230 by an HTTPrequest.

In operation 802, the communication interface unit 110 receives logininformation from the host device 200. In operation 803, theauthentication unit 120 authenticates the received login information.

In operation 804, the communication interface unit 110 transmits theresult of the authentication to the host device 200. In operation 805,the communication interface unit 110 transmits to the host device 200 alist of WebDAV commands and a list of document boxes 151 correspondingto the login information retrieved a control module 180 in communicationwith the by the image forming apparatus 100. The list of document boxes151 and the list of WebDAV commands may be then be transmitted from theimage forming apparatus 100 to the host device 200, and may be displayedon the user interface unit 230.

In operation 806, the user interface unit 210 of the host device 200receives selection signals from the user of the host device to select atleast one file among the files stored in at least one document box 151from the received list of document boxes, and one WebDAV command fromthe received list of WebDAV commands.

In operation 807, the communication interface unit 110 receivesinformation about the selected file and WebDAV command from the hostdevice 200.

In operation 808, the control module 180 in communication with theWebDAV server 130 performs a process with respect to at least one of thefiles selected by the host device 200 and a directory with reference tothe WebDAV command received from the host device 200.

Therefore, a user of the WebDAV client-embedded host device 200 mayconveniently manage the files stored in the image forming apparatus 100by using the WebDAV server 130.

The present general inventive concept can also be embodied ascomputer-readable codes on a computer-readable medium. Thecomputer-readable medium can include a computer-readable recordingmedium and a computer-readable transmission medium. Thecomputer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that canstore data as a program which can be thereafter read by a computersystem. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium includeread-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, DVDs,magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. Thecomputer-readable recording medium can also be distributed over networkcoupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code is storedand executed in a distributed fashion. The computer-readabletransmission medium can transmit carrier waves or signals (e.g., wiredor wireless data transmission through the Internet). Also, functionalprograms, codes, and code segments to accomplish the present generalinventive concept can be easily construed by programmers skilled in theart to which the present general inventive concept pertains.

As described above, according to the one or more exemplary embodimentsof the present general inventive concept, a host device including anembedded WebDAV client may remotely manage files stored in an imageforming apparatus in communication with a WebDAV server, conveniently.

While examples of the general inventive concept have been shown anddescribed with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes inform and details may be made therein without departing from the spiritand scope of the present general inventive concept as defined by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of providing remote sharing of a filestored in an image forming apparatus to at least one client, the methodcomprising: receiving a request, through a protocol supportingDistributed Authoring, from a client to access a memory of an imageforming apparatus; transmitting information, related to an access to thememory, to the client; receiving a command, through the protocol, fromthe client; and executing a process to the at least one of a file and adirectory according to the received command.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the information related to the access to the memory comprises alist of at least one command supported by the image forming apparatus.3. The method of claim 1, the transmitting of the information comprises:receiving login information from the client; authenticating the receivedlogin information; and transmitting a list of document box correspondingto the received login information.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: creating a document box corresponding to the received logininformation; and creating a file to be stored in the document box byusing at least one of printing data, scan data, fax data and email data.5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: if the command is receivedfrom the client when the image forming apparatus operates in apower-saving mode, transmitting uniform resource locators (URL) of thefile stored in the memory to the client.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising: if the command is received from the client when theimage forming apparatus operates in a power-saving mode, supplying powerto the memory of the image forming apparatus.
 7. An image formingapparatus providing remote sharing of a file stored in the image formingapparatus to at least one client, the image forming apparatuscomprising: a memory configured to store at least one of a file or adirectory; a communication interface configured to transmit/receive datato/from at least one client; and a controller configured to control thecommunication interface to transmit an information, which is related toan access to the memory, to the client in response to receiving arequest, through a protocol supporting distributed authoring, from aclient to access a memory of the image forming apparatus, and execute aprocess to the at least one of the file and the directory in response toreceiving a command, through the protocol, from the client.
 8. The imageforming apparatus of claim 7, wherein the information related to theaccess to the memory comprises a list of at least one command supportedby the image forming apparatus.
 9. The image forming apparatus of claim7, wherein the communication interface receives login information fromthe client, the controller authenticates the received login information,and the communication interface transmits a list of document boxcorresponding to the received login information.
 10. The image formingapparatus of claim 7, wherein the controller creates a document boxcorresponding to the received login information, and a file to be storedin the document box by using at least one of printing data, scan data,fax data and email data.
 11. The image forming apparatus of claim 7, thecontroller controls the communication interface to transmit uniformresource locators (URL) of the file stored in the memory to the client,if the command is received from the client when the image formingapparatus operates in a power-saving mode.
 12. The image formingapparatus of claim 7, further comprising a power supply, wherein thecontroller controls the power supply to supply power to the memory, ifthe command is received from the client when the image forming apparatusoperates in a power-saving mode.